Posted Feb. 4, 2015

The Iowa Pork Producers Association now has a new Iowa Pork Youth Leadership Team.

After two days of intense training and competition, the new team members were introduced at the Iowa Pork Congress Banquet Jan. 28.

Christy Calderwood of Traer was named Pork Queen. She is the daughter of David and Patty Calderwood. Christy is a sophomore at Iowa State University in Ames.

The 2015 Iowa Pork Princess is Emily Cook of Hubbard. The daughter of Paul and Charlotte Cook, Emily is a senior at South Hardin High School and will attend ISU this fall.

The third member of the team is Alex Conover of Holstein. The son of Burdette Conover, Alex will serve as the Premier Pork Youth Ambassador this year.

The new queen, princess and youth ambassador will represent the Iowa pork industry throughout the year at various IPPA promotional and educational events around the state, as well as at out-of-state events.

In addition to earning the various titles, each new team member will receive a $4,000 scholarship from IPPA.

A total of 14 young Iowans competed for the respective titles and all of the contestants were judged on their overall knowledge of the pork industry and Iowa agriculture, interviewing and communications skills, poise and presentation.